Combination system and copy error preventing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A combo system and method having a play unit to play a signal recorded on a first recording medium and a recording unit to record the signal played by the play unit on a second recording medium. A detector detects whether a predetermined copy preventing signal exists within the signal played by the play unit. A controller controls the recording unit to stop a recording operation of the recording unit when the copy preventing signal is detected by the detector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No.2001-27273, filed May 18, 2001, in the Korean Patent Office, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a combination system and a copyerror preventing method thereof, and more particularly, to a combinationsystem and a copy error preventing method thereof in which a copypreventing signal is added to a copy signal so that a copy error can beprevented from occurring.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] A combination system or combo system is defined as two or moredifferent units incorporated into a combined system. As an example ofthe combo system, there is provided a DVD/VCR combo system developed tocompositively perform a function of a DVDP and a function of a VCR.

[0006]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional DVDP/VCRcombo system 10 and peripheral devices connected to the DVDP/VCR combosystem. The DVDP/VCR combo system 10 includes a VCR 11 and a DVDP 12.The VCR 11 performs a general VCR function that plays video and audiosignals recorded on a magnetic tape and records externally receivedsignals on the magnetic tape. The DVDP 12 performs a general DVDPfunction that plays video and audio signals recorded on a DVD. Inaddition to essential functions of the VCR 11 and the DVDP 12, theDVDP/VCR combo system 10 has an advantage in that the DVDP/VCR combosystem 10 can perform a composite function that records video and audiosignals played by the DVDP 12 on the magnetic tap through the VCR 11.

[0007] A TV 23 is connected to the DVDP/VCR combo system 10 as aperipheral device that outputs video and audio signals played by theDVDP 12 or the VCR 11. Also, an audio amplifier 21 is connected to theDVDP/VCR combo system 10 as a peripheral device that outputs audiosignals played by the DVDP 12. Furthermore, an external device 25 suchas a camcorder can be connected to the DVDP/VCR combo system 10. TheDVDP/VCR combo system 10 serves to record/play video and audio signalsfrom the external device 25.

[0008] The VCR 11 and the DVDP 12 in the DVDP/VCR combo system 10 areprovided as one system in appearance. A user can switch a mode betweenthe VCR 11 and the DVDP 12 through either a separate input unit such asa remote controller 15 or a panel (not shown) provided on a frontsurface of the DVDP/VCR combo system 10 and can manipulate individualfunctions of the respective devices 11 and 12 using the separate inputunit. As described above, the DVDP/VCR combo system 10 has an advantagein that the system can perform various functions without the peripheraldevices.

[0009] However, in a case where video and audio signals played by theDVDP 12 are recorded on the magnetic tape through the VCR 11, a problemarises in that desired video and audio signals cannot be recorded. Thereason for the problem is because DVD data has a copy preventingmechanism such as a macrovision protection (hereinafter, referred to as“macrovision signal”). The macrovision protection is an analogprotection system. The VCR 11 adds a vertical blanking signal AGC pulseand a color bar to a composite video signal and s-video signal. In thiscase, a synchronizing and automatic recording level circuit in the VCR11 may be disordered or there may be something wrong with a linedoubler. In other words, in a case where the DVD data having amacrovision protection is recorded or copied, phenomena such as a colorbar, distortion, rolling, blackening, and brightness circulation mayoccur. Accordingly, in the case where the data recorded on the DVDhaving the macrovision protection is recorded or copied on the magnetictape using the DVDP/VCR the combo system 10, a problem arises in thatthe data cannot be normally recorded or copied on the magnetic tape dueto the macrovision protection of the DVD.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case where the magnetic tape is played inwhich the data is not normally recorded or copied, the user cannot viewa desired video image. In this case, the user may incorrectly believethat there is something wrong with the recording function of theDVDP/VCR combo system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea combination system and an error preventing method thereof, in whichwhether a macrovision protection has been applied to DVD data isdetected, so that a copy error can be prevented from occurring.

[0012] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention maybe accomplished by providing a combination system and an errorpreventing method thereof, in which a user can recognize that amacrovision protection is applied to DVD data to be copied, so thatperformance of the combination system can be improved.

[0013] In order to achieve the above-described object and other objectsof the present invention, there is provided a combo system providedhaving a play unit to play a signal recorded on a first recording mediumand a recording unit to record the signal played by the play unit on asecond recording medium, including: a detector to detect whether apredetermined copy preventing signal exists within the signal played bythe play unit; and a controller to control the recording unit to stop arecording operation of the recording unit when the copy preventingsignal is detected by the detector.

[0014] Here, the combination system further includes a display block toexternally display a signal indicative of whether the copy preventingsignal has been detected.

[0015] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention maybe accomplished by providing a copy error preventing method of a combosystem provided with a play unit and a recording unit, including:playing a signal recorded on a first recording medium using the playunit; recording the signal onto a second recording medium using therecording unit; detecting whether a predetermined copy preventing signalexists within the signal played by the play unit; and stopping arecording operation of the recording unit when the copy preventingsignal is detected within the played signal.

[0016] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention maybe accomplished by providing a copy error preventing method between aplay unit and a recording unit, including: playing a signal recorded ona first recording medium using the play unit; recording the signal ontoa second recording medium using the recording unit; detecting whether apredetermined copy preventing signal exists within the signal played bythe play unit; and stopping a recording operation of the recording unitwhen the copy preventing signal is detected within the played signal.

[0017] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention maybe accomplished by providing a combo system, including: a play unitplaying video and/or audio signals recorded on a first recording medium;a recording unit recording the video and/or audio signals on a secondrecording medium; a detector detecting a copy preventing signal from thevideo and/or audio signals played by the play unit, wherein the detectoroutputs the detected copy preventing signal to the recording unit tostop the recording unit from recording the video and/or audio signals onthe second recording medium; and an OSD block adding an OSD function tothe video signals of the recording unit and a detected copy preventingerror message.

[0018] To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention maybe accomplished by providing a copy error preventing method of a combosystem having a play unit and a recording unit, including: detecting acopy command by the recording unit; outputting a copy mode settingsignal from the recording unit to the play unit; playing data recordedon a first recording medium using the play unit in response to the copymode setting signal; recording the data onto a second recording mediumusing the recording unit; determining whether a copy preventing signalexists in the data recorded on the first recording medium; outputtingthe copy preventing signal to the recording unit; and stopping therecording unit from recording in response to the copy preventing signalwithout discontinuing playing the data recorded on the first recordingmedium.

[0019] These together with other objects and advantages, which will besubsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of theattendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similarcomponents, wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional DVDP/VCRcombination system;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a DVDP/VCR combinationsystem in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a copy error preventing methodperformed by the system shown in FIG. 2; and

[0024]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a DVDP/VCR combinationsystem in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] A combination system and a copy error preventing method thereof,in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, willnow be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026]FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a combo system inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,particularly a DVDP/VCR combo system 100 that can perform DVDP and VCRfunctions. The DVDP/VCR combo system 100 includes a VCR 110 to perform ageneral VCR function, a DVDP 120 to perform a general DVDP function, aselector 130 to select signals output from the VCR 110 and the DVDP 120,and an input block 140 to transmit signals input from an externaldevice, such as a camcorder to the selector 130. An output block 150transmits the signals output from the VCR 110 and the DVDP 120 toperipheral devices such as a TV and an amplifier. An on screen display(OSD) block 160 in the DVDP/VCR combo system 100 adds an OSD function tovideo signals output from the VCR 110 and the DVDP 120.

[0027] The VCR 110 includes a VCR deck 111 for recording a signal on amagnetic tape or playing the signal recorded on the magnetic tape. Videoand audio blocks 112 and 113 in the VCR 110 transmit and receive videoand audio signals to be recorded or played to and from the VCR deck 111,and a VCR controller 114 controls an operation of the VCR deck 111, thevideo block 112, and the audio block 113. The VCR 110 further includes adisplay block 116 to externally display the status of the VCR 110 suchas operational, control, and setting modes, a panel 117 to input variouscommands from a user, and a remote controller sensor 118 to input acommand from the user through a remote controller 180.

[0028] The DVDP 120 includes a DVD deck 121, a DVD servo 122, a DVDcontroller 123, and a DVD encoder 124. The DVD deck 121 reads datarecorded on a DVD to perform a play mode of the DVD. The DVD servo 122receives the data read by the DVD deck 121 through the DVD controller123, and outputs DVD video data and DVD audio data. The DVD controller123 controls the operation of the DVD deck 121, the DVD servo 122, andthe DVD encoder 124. The DVDP 120 further includes a macrovisiondetector 126 for detecting a macrovision signal. The macrovisiondetector 126 detects the macrovision signal from the data read by theDVD deck 121 if the DVD has a macrovision protection and is played orcopied. The macrovision detector 126 outputs the detected macrovisionsignal to the DVD controller 123. Then, the DVD controller 123 transmitsthe detected macrovision signal to the VCR controller 114.

[0029] The DVD controller 123 and the VCR controller 114, as will bedescribed later in detail, are linked to each other in accordance withthe detected macrovision signal, so that signals for controlling theDVDP 120 and the VCR 110 are generated. In the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the VCR controller 114 and the DVD controller 123may be separately provided and the VCR controller 114 may be used as amain controller of the combo system 100. However, the present inventionis not limited to this embodiment. That is, the DVD controller 123 maybe the main controller of the DVDP/VCR combo system 100 or a menucontroller having both the functions of the VCR controller 114 and theDVD controller 123 may be used.

[0030] An output of the DVD encoder 124, outputs of the video and audioblocks 112 and 113, and the signals from the input block 140 are inputas input signals to a selector 130. The VCR controller 114 and the DVDcontroller 123 control the selector 130 to select input signals. Anoutput signal from the selector 130 is input to the OSD block 160 andthe output block 150. The OSD block 160 adds the OSD function to thesignal input from the selector 130 and generates video images.Accordingly, the video images generated by the OSD block 160 are addedto video images output to a TV screen, such as a menu for controllingthe operation of the DVDP 120 and the VCR 110 and a macrovision errormessage.

[0031] The output block 150 receives the output signals from the DVDencoder 124, the selector 130, and the OSD block 160 and outputs DVDvideo signals, DVD audio signals, VCR video signals, and VCR audiosignals. The peripheral devices such as the TV or audio devices areconnected to the output block 150 and, thus, video and audio images areoutput from the peripheral devices.

[0032] The input block 140 is connected to the selector 130, andtransmits an externally input signal to the selector 130. A signaloutput terminal of the external device, such as a camcorder, isconnectable to the input block 140. Accordingly, the signal recorded onthe external device can be transmitted to the combo system 100 throughthe input block 140, and also can be recorded on the magnetic tape usingthe VCR 110 or can be played through the TV or a monitor.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a copy error preventing methodperformed by the DVDP/VCR combo system 100. In more detail, FIG. 3 is aflow chart illustrating the copy error preventing method in which theuser copies data recorded on the DVD to the magnetic tape.

[0034] If a power source is applied to the combo system 100, the OSDblock 160 outputs a data processing menu and displays the same on the TVscreen. If the user selects a copy mode from the data processing menudisplayed on the TV screen by manipulating the remote controller 180, acopy mode setting signal is transmitted to the VCR controller 114through the remote controller sensor 118. At operation S32, the VCRcontroller 123 detects whether a copy command has been input.

[0035] Once the copy command is input, the VCR controller 114 outputsthe copy mode setting signal to the DVD controller 123. At operationS34, the DVD controller 123 operates the DVD deck 121 in accordance withthe copy mode setting signal to play the data recorded on the DVD and atthe same time operates the macrovision detector 126. Also, the VCRcontroller 114 drives the VCR deck 111 so as to record the signal playedby the DVDP 120 on the magnetic tape.

[0036] In the above copy mode, at operation S36, the macrovisiondetector 126 determines whether a macrovision signal exists in the datarecorded on the DVD. If it is determined that there is a macrovisionsignal in the data recorded on the DVD, the DVD controller 123 outputsthe macrovision signal to the VCR controller 114.

[0037] At operation S38, the VCR controller 114 stops driving of the VCRdeck 111 in accordance with the macrovision signal. At this time, theDVDP 120 continues to play the data recorded on the DVD. Generally, thedata recorded on the DVD is copied to the magnetic tape when the datarecorded on the DVD is played. Accordingly, once a copy preventionsignal, such as a macrovision signal is detected, an unnecessary copyoperation can be avoided by stopping the VCR deck 111 from recordingdata on the magnetic tape. The playing operation by the DVDP 120continues to be performed, thereby providing the user with convenience.

[0038] At operation S40, the VCR controller 114 displays a copy error.The copy error may be output from audio output terminals of the outputblock 150 through the audio block 113. Also, the copy error may beoutput as character or video signals generated in the OSD block 160 andthen displayed on the TV screen. Also, the copy error may be output ascharacters or signs displayed through the display block 116. Further, ifthere is no macrovision signal, a normal copy operation is performed.

[0039] Additionally, in the case where the data is recorded on themagnetic tape according to the user's request while the data is playedfrom the DVD, all the operations to detect the macrovision signal areperformed in a same manner as if the copy mode is selected. However, theoperation to detect the macrovision signal is different from theoperation of the copy mode in that the DVD deck 121 is continuouslydriven to perform the playing operation even if the macrovision signalis detected.

[0040]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a DVDP/VCR combo system inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In thesecond embodiment of the present invention, like reference symbolsindicate the same or similar components shown in FIG. 2 and theirdetailed description will be omitted.

[0041] Unlike the first embodiment of FIG. 2 in which a macrovisiondetecting signal is transmitted to the VCR controller 114 through theDVD controller 123, in the second embodiment of the present invention,the DVDP/VCR combo system 100 is provided with a macrovision detector226 directly connected between the VCR controller 114 and the DVD deck121. Therefore, the macrovision signal detected by the macrovisiondetector 226 is directly transmitted to the VCR controller 114. As aresult, unlike the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, one controller,controls the playing operation and the recording operation. In FIG. 2,the playing operation is controlled by the DVD controller 123 and therecording operation is controlled by the VCR controller 114.

[0042] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the present invention, inaddition to the combo system, a protocol established between a player,such as the DVDP, and a recorder, such as the VCR, is set using a cableto perform communication, so that a copy error between the player andthe recorder can be prevented from occurring. That is, in a state wherethe protocol is set to mutually exchange the data and the controlsignals between the DVDP, to play the data recorded on the DVD, and theVCR, to record data on the magnetic tape, or to play the data recordedon the magnetic tape, a method of copying signals recorded on the DVD tothe magnetic tape will be described below.

[0043] Generally, the DVDP includes the components of the DVDP 120 shownin FIG. 2. Specifically, the DVD controller 123 in the DVDP controls theoperation of the DVDP and exchanges control signals and data with theVCR, the DVD deck 121 plays the data recorded on the DVD under thecontrol of the DVD controller 123, and the macrovision detector 126detects a macrovision signal included in the played signal.

[0044] Also, a general VCR includes the components of the VCR 110 shownin FIG. 2,. Specifically, the VCR controller 114 in the VCR controls theoperation of the VCR and exchanges control signals and data with theDVDP, and the VCR deck 111 plays the data recorded on the magnetic tapeor records predetermined data on the magnetic tape under the control ofthe VCR controller 114. The VCR further includes the display block 116to externally display the status of the VCR such as operational,control, and setting modes, the panel 117 to input various commands fromthe user, and the remote controller sensor 118 to input the commandsfrom the user through a remote controller 180.

[0045] Therefore, if it is intended to copy the data recorded on the DVDon the magnetic tape using the individual DVDP and the individual VCR,the DVDP plays the data recorded on the DVD and detects the macrovisionsignal from the played signal. Then, the DVDP performs the playingoperation while the VCR stops the recording operation. Thus, a copyerror can be prevented from occurring by implementing the copy errorpreventing method of the combo system shown in FIG. 3. As describedabove, the combo system and the copy error preventing method thereofaccording to the present invention have, for instance, the followingadvantage: if the data recorded on the DVD having a copy preventingsignal, such as a macrovision signal is copied onto the magnetic tape,unnecessary copying operation can be avoided and reliability in theoperation of the combo system can be improved.

[0046] While the present invention has been described and illustratedherein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications andvariations can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers the modifications and variations of this invention that comewithin the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A combo system provided having a play unit toplay a signal recorded on a first recording medium and a recording unitto record the signal played by the play unit on a second recordingmedium, comprising: a detector to detect whether a predetermined copypreventing signal exists within the signal played by the play unit; anda controller to control the recording unit to stop a recording operationof the recording unit when the copy preventing signal is detected by thedetector.
 2. The combo system according to claim 1, wherein therecording unit comprises a VCR to record the signal on a magnetic tape.3. The combo system according to claim 2, wherein the play unitcomprises a DVD player to play the signal recorded on a DVD.
 4. Thecombo system according to claim 1, further comprising a display block toexternally display a signal indicative of whether the copy preventingsignal has been detected.
 5. The combo system according to claim 4,wherein the recording unit comprises a VCR to record the signal on amagnetic tape.
 6. The combo system according to claim 5, wherein theplay unit comprises a DVD player to play the signal recorded on a DVD.7. The combo system according to claim 1, wherein the copy preventingsignal comprises a macrovision signal.
 8. A copy error preventing methodof a combo system provided with a play unit and a recording unit,comprising: playing a signal recorded on a first recording medium usingthe play unit; recording the signal onto a second recording medium usingthe recording unit; detecting whether a predetermined copy preventingsignal exists within the signal played by the play unit; and stopping arecording operation of the recording unit when the copy preventingsignal is detected within the played signal.
 9. The copy errorpreventing method according to claim 8, wherein the recording unitcomprises a VCR to record the signal on a magnetic tape.
 10. The copyerror preventing method according to claim 9, wherein the play unitcomprises a DVD player to play the signal recorded on a DVD.
 11. Thecopy error preventing method according to claim 8, further comprisingexternally displaying a signal indicative of whether there is the copypreventing signal within the played signal.
 12. The copy errorpreventing method according to claim 11, wherein the recording unitcomprises a VCR to record the signal on a magnetic tape.
 13. The copyerror preventing method according to claim 12, wherein the play unitcomprises a DVD player to play the signal recorded on a DVD.
 14. Thecopy error preventing method according to claim 8, wherein the copypreventing signal comprises a macrovision signal.
 15. A copy errorpreventing method between a play unit and a recording unit, comprising:playing a signal recorded on a first recording medium using the playunit; recording the signal onto a second recording medium using therecording unit; detecting whether a predetermined copy preventing signalexists within the signal played by the play unit; and stopping arecording operation of the recording unit when the copy preventingsignal is detected within the played signal.
 16. The copy errorpreventing method according to claim 15, wherein the recording unitcomprises a VCR to record the signal on a magnetic tape.
 17. The copyerror preventing method according to claim 16, wherein the play unitcomprises a DVD player to play the signal recorded on a DVD.
 18. Thecopy error preventing method according to claim 15, further comprisingexternally displaying a signal indicative of whether the copy preventingsignal exists within the played signal.
 19. The copy error preventingmethod according to claim 18, wherein the recording unit comprises a VCRto record the signal on a magnetic tape.
 20. The copy error preventingmethod according to claim 19, wherein the play unit is a DVD player toplay the signal recorded on a DVD.
 21. The copy error preventing methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the copy preventing signal comprises amacrovision signal.
 22. A combo system, comprising: a play unit playingvideo and/or audio signals recorded on a first recording medium; arecording unit recording the video and/or audio signals on a secondrecording medium; a detector detecting a copy preventing signal from thevideo and/or audio signals played by the play unit, wherein the detectoroutputs the detected copy preventing signal to the recording unit tostop the recording unit from recording the video and/or audio signals onthe second recording medium; and an OSD block adding an OSD function tothe video signals of the recording unit and a detected copy preventingerror message.
 23. The combo system as recited in claim 22, wherein therecording unit comprises: video and audio blocks transmitting andreceiving video and audio signals to be recorded or played to and fromthe recording unit, a display block displaying a status of the recordingunit, and a recording unit controller controlling an operation of therecording unit.
 24. The combo system as recited in claim 23, wherein theplay unit comprises: a deck reading data recorded on the first recordingmedium to perform a play mode, a servo receiving the data read by thedeck and outputting the video and/or audio signals, and a play unitcontroller controlling an operation of the play unit.
 25. The combosystem as recited in claim 24, wherein the play unit controller and therecording unit controller are linked to generate signals to control theplay unit and the recording unit, respectively.
 26. The combo system asrecited in claim 24, wherein the recording unit controller and the playunit controller are separately provided and the recording unitcontroller is used as a main controller of the combo system.
 27. Thecombo system as recited in claim 24, wherein the play unit controllercomprises a main controller of the combo system or a menu controllercomprising both functions of the recording unit controller and the playunit controller.
 28. The combo system as recited in claim 24, whereinthe play unit comprises a DVDP and the recording unit comprises a VCR.29. The combo system as recited in claim 24, wherein the detector isdirectly connected between the recording unit controller and the playunit, where one of the controllers exclusively controls the playing andrecording of the video and/or audio signals.
 30. The combo system asrecited in claim 29, wherein the copy preventing signal from thedetector is directly transmitted to the recording controller.
 31. Thecombo system as recited in claim 24, wherein the play unit comprises thedetector, where the play unit controller controls the playing of thevideo and/or audio signals and the recording controller controls therecording operation of the video and/or audio signals.
 32. The combosystem as recited in claim 24, further comprising a protocol establishedbetween the play unit and the recording unit using a cable to performcommunication, so that a copy error between the play unit and therecording unit is prevented from occurring.
 33. The combo system asrecited in claim 32, wherein the copy preventing signal is output fromaudio output terminals.
 34. The combo system as recited in claim 33,wherein the copy preventing signal is output as characters, signs, orvideo signals and displayed on a TV screen.
 35. A copy error preventingmethod of a combo system having a play unit and a recording unit,comprising: detecting a copy command by the recording unit; outputting acopy mode setting signal from the recording unit to the play unit;playing data recorded on a first recording medium using the play unit inresponse to the copy mode setting signal; recording the data onto asecond recording medium using the recording unit; determining whether acopy preventing signal exists in the data recorded on the firstrecording medium; outputting the copy preventing signal to the recordingunit; and stopping the recording unit from recording in response to thecopy preventing signal without discontinuing playing the data recordedon the first recording medium.
 36. The method as recited in claim 35,wherein the copy preventing detector is enabled when the data recordedon the second recording medium is played.